Honoring Dr. E. Glenn Hinson (1931-2025)
The Baptist History & Heritage Society mourns the passing of Dr. E. Glenn Hinson (1931-2025), a prolific Baptist historian, ecumenist and scholar of early Christianity and spirituality, as well as a mentor, friend and colleague to multiple generations of Baptist students, professors and ministers.
Dr. Hinson taught church history at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for almost 30 years and also served on the faculties of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond and BSK Theological Seminary. He was a visiting professor at numerous universities and seminaries including Notre Dame, Wake Forest University, International Baptist Theological Seminary and Emory University to name a few.
Dr. Hinson wrote or edited 37 books in church history and spirituality including an autobiography, A Miracle of Grace (2012), and published more than 1200 articles and book reviews. His early works focused on the New Testament, Baptist history and identity, the nature of the church, and the legacy of Christianity spirituality. He regularly wrote articles for the Christian Century and Baptist state papers too.
In the 1980s, Dr. Hinson published a major book on Christianity in the Roman Empire, and he continued to reflect on the nature of the church and Baptist identity. For journals, he wrote articles on spirituality and ecumenical dialogue with other Christians. He became an advocate for Seeds in the Christian campaign to fight hunger and for Baptist Peacemakers in the campaign against war. He also championed women in ministry.
In the 1990s, Dr. Hinson published histories of Christianity in the early and medieval eras, but devoted increasing attention to dimensions of spirituality, including a biography of his mentor Douglas Steere. Dr. Hinson was a frequent contributor to BHHS’ journal, Baptist History & Heritage
In 2018, BHHS honored Dr. Hinson with the publication of a festschrift issue of the Baptist History & Heritage journal featuring articles on a variety of topics in the history of Christianity from scholars who were his colleagues or students, including Walter Shurden, Bill Leonard, Linda McKinnish Bridges, Gary Poe and Johnny Sears. The issue also includes a comprehensive bibliography of Dr. Hinson’s writings.
“Extensive as his academic credentials are, Glenn Hinson represents something of greater value to Baptist history than his outstanding scholarship and publication record can convey,” wrote festschrift editor Dr. Loyd Allen. “Glenn’s words, which are of surpassing value, matter less than their origin: a great Baptist soul who transcends denominational bounds….Glenn embodies erudite scholarship arising from a disciplined Christian life as well as any Baptist in our time.”
A memorial service honoring Dr. Hinson will be held on March 15, 2025 at Crescent Hill Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky.
To celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Hinson, BHHS has made this festschrift issue available as a free e-journal. Read, share and download below.
Dr. E. Glenn Hinson — Festschrift Issue of Baptist History & Heritage (Spring 2018. [DOWNLOAD]